Press not working, hydraulics for sure

[northwest]

I have recently acquired this press:

Clarke CSA10BB 10 Tonne Hydraulic Bench Press (Without Kit) - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

but to be pedantic mine is the CSA 10F which is the floor standing model. Yesterday I went to use it and .... nothing. No resistance at all while I was pumping it and it wouldn't move, yes I was operating the valve correctly no I am not the original owner.
Thinking about it, it could well be that it needs the hydraulic oil topping up. Can I just use 32 weight hydraulic oil or 64 because I have both of these in abundance and I don't fancy going to Machine Mart to buy a litre of oil for <silly money> when I have gallons of hydraulic oil here? I welcome all and any suggestions.

Unhelpful manual (for any function issues) here:

https://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manuals/garage_equipment/csa10.pdf

 

[sako243]

I can't see any issue, the machine mart stuff probably just that rebranded, perhaps it has some additive because people will unlikely change the oil in a press but I doubt it.

Searching for the oil part number just shows it up as a 32 weight oil.

 

[Agroshield]

Any oil at all will serve to get it going today. Then once it works properly, you can consider how important is the exact specification of what you fill it with.

On the website picture of the non-floor mounted one, the reservoir of the pump is vertically above the handle. In the manual, the opposite as well as horizontal is shown. I wonder if that makes any difference.

 

[bourbon]

I haven't a clue of the spec of the oil we sell. It just says 'hydraulic oil' on the bottles! got any break fluid lying about?

 

[Seadog]

I use 32 in my small Clarke.

 

[Neilj]

I've got the floor standing model and just use 32 in it, no issues with it ever. If it's not pumping with the small release valve closed on the hand pump then it probably want's a top up

 

[zzr1200]

32 or 46 hyd oil.

Sometimes the hose coupling unit becomes unscrewed abit and can close the valves at the hose/ram coupling connection.
Also check both flow shut off valves in the coupling units are opening, it's not unknow for them to quit working.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I haven't a clue of the spec of the oil we sell. It just says 'hydraulic oil' on the bottles! got any break fluid lying about?

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/5-litre-hydraulic-oil/
This? Its 32.


Should be a ISO 32 oil - pretty much standard for all these jacks, presses, lifts etc.
Various extra special blends with added herbs and spices are available, but pretty much anything is fine for these basic systems.

 

[Erie Fred]

I haven't a clue of the spec of the oil we sell. It just says 'hydraulic oil' on the bottles! got any break fluid lying about?

Brake fluid is not a sub for hydraulic or any kind of oil.

 

[bourbon]

I stand corrected. just noticed my spelling mistake. should have been brake obviously

 

[JOEPRO]

got any break fluid lying about?

Brake fluid absorbs atmospheric moisture (hygroscopic) it's also caustic and can strip car paint etc.

Hence why I would not use brake fluid for anything other than brakes.

 

[Erie Fred]

I stand corrected. just noticed my spelling mistake. should have been brake obviously

No, that was not the reason for my comment.
Brake fluid will cause severe problems if put into a hydraulic system
designed for oil.

 

[bricol]

My neighbour sold her car, can't remember how we go to it in conversation, but she showed me the bottle of fluid she'd used to top up the brake fluid a week or two before . . . ATF !

 

[bourbon]

Looks like I need to research more then. lol. We only sell the stuff for our presses anyway. I also don't offer advice on any other product. (liability issues)

 

[JOEPRO]

I have used this before - all good

 

[sako243]

No, that was not the reason for my comment.
Brake fluid will cause severe problems if put into a hydraulic system
designed for oil.

Statements like that are just annoying. Why not include the reasons why if you know?

 

[Erie Fred]

Statements like that are just annoying. Why not include the reasons why if you know?

I have to educate each and every person ?
Try cracking a book sometimes.
you have it all in your hand these days.

I could just sit on the sidelines and let them fall on their sword, and ruin
their equipment.
would that be better than what I did post ?

Plus, the peanut gallery would start a never ending fight saying I'm all wrong.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Brake fluid doesn't play well with NBR (Nitrile Buna-N) seals, which are what a lot of hydraulic seals are made from.
Its generally horrible stuff to work with anyway, stick to hydraulic fluid for hydraulic systems.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Could be a bit of crud in the check valve in the pump, usually a ball bearing with a spring applying pressure. Done a few that were suffering the same issue!

 

[northwest]

Well when I get back I will find sometime and strip it and take a look see. In order to get at the press though I have to move my bike and as I wanted to go for a ride the other day I will choose a fine day and immediately get distracted by cycling somewhere then I will fix the press. I solved the immediate problem by borrowing another press:



Later when I get back to this place I am going to trim those tie wraps, that is just annoying!